Could be, could be: “The White House is expected to name a new U.S. attorney for Chicago soon from among four finalists. Whoever it is will be an insider compared to the man he or she will replace, Patrick Fitzgerald.” Basically, Fitzgerald is leaving the position after over ten years of putting governors (note plural) and other corrupt Illinois state officials (yes, I know, redundant) | Read More »

If you want to see a rank example of the unhealthy symbiosis between Big Government and Big Business, consider this morning’s announcement by BP that “it will set up a $100 million charitable fund to support unemployed oil rig workers experiencing economic hardship due to the deepwater drilling moratorium imposed by the Obama administration.” At first glance, you might say, this is a good thing: | Read More »

If you want to see a rank example of the unhealthy symbiosis between Big Government and Big Business, consider this morning’s announcement by BP that “it will set up a $100 million charitable fund to support unemployed oil rig workers experiencing economic hardship due to the deepwater drilling moratorium imposed by the Obama administration.” At first glance, you might say, this is a good thing: | Read More »

A pleasant beginning to the week, no? First it was President Barack Obama, then White House Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, now U.S. Senate Candidate Alexi Giannoulias is joining the Rod Blagojevich corruption trial subpoena list. Giannoulias is in the middle of a hard fought campaign against Congressman Mark Kirk for the right to fill the U.S. Senate seat once held by President Obama. So | Read More »

A pleasant beginning to the week, no? First it was President Barack Obama, then White House Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, now U.S. Senate Candidate Alexi Giannoulias is joining the Rod Blagojevich corruption trial subpoena list. Giannoulias is in the middle of a hard fought campaign against Congressman Mark Kirk for the right to fill the U.S. Senate seat once held by President Obama. So | Read More »

…mostly left. When politicos play musical chairs in Illinois, what happens after the music stops and there’s no safe place to sit? There have been four dead in recent years, unrelated cases of suicide, different except for the acts of the common pageant: The corruption investigators call. The music ends abruptly. Two were done in by guns, one on a beach, the other under a | Read More »

…mostly left. When politicos play musical chairs in Illinois, what happens after the music stops and there’s no safe place to sit? There have been four dead in recent years, unrelated cases of suicide, different except for the acts of the common pageant: The corruption investigators call. The music ends abruptly. Two were done in by guns, one on a beach, the other under a | Read More »

(Via Instapundit) John Kass has a thoroughly entertaining article up on the way that former Governor Blagojevich is doing his level best to drag President Obama into the equally thoroughly entertaining drama that is former Governor Blagojevich’s corruption trial. To summarize: the government is using Tony Rezko to go after Blagojevich; Blagojevich needs to taint Rezko’s testimony; so Blagojevich wants Obama to testify about Rezko. | Read More »

Nice work, if you can get it: The family of Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Alexi Giannoulias stands to collect more than $10 million in federal tax refunds even if its Broadway Bank fails, which Mr. Giannoulias said this week is likely. A $75-million loss at the struggling lender last year generated tax benefits potentially worth between $12 million and $15 million to Mr. Giannoulias, his | Read More »

(H/T: @sorendayton) You know, I noticed during the run-up to the Illinois Senatorial primary that more than one Democratic activist expressed worries about a Giannoulias primary win. And why were they worried? Pretty much because of what you’re about to see. Welcome to Chicago. Moe Lane PS: Mark Kirk for Senate. Crossposted to Moe Lane.

No, really. If you planned to check out a library book, visit a city clinic or have your garbage picked up on Monday, you’re out of luck. The City of Chicago is basically closed for business on Aug. 17, a reduced-service day in which most city employees are off without pay. City Hall, public libraries, health clinics and most city offices will be closed. They | Read More »

This paragraph from FirstRead (“First thoughts: So who’s corrupt now?“) (via Instapundit) has so much to play with I have to break it down. So let’s get started, yes? *** Collateral damage: Where to begin? Indeed, it’s a smorgasboard.

Wow! Four Great Blue Herons just flew over my house. Absolutely beautiful and awe inspiring. It’s nice to take a short break from the anxiety of the economy and the election and appreciate nature and beauty. deep breath Back to politics… John Kass has another great article in the Tribune today:

Before you splutter, let me happily concede: this was legally done. Obama awarded Illinois grants to relative’s group SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – As a state senator, Democrat Barack Obama awarded $75,000 in government grants to a Chicago social service organization led by a rabbi who is also his wife’s cousin, records show. In 1999, Obama arranged for $50,000 for adult literacy and counseling services offered | Read More »

Moe, I’ve been saying for a while now that we have never really seen what it looks like when McCain stays PO’d at the same guy for months on end. That Ayers ad is gonna leave a mark (I’ll bet we hear Rudy mention Ayers at the GOP Convention). I’m glad to see McCain is willing to go there with Obama’s choice of close friends | Read More »